Thursday, January 1, 2009

Hi I'm Karen! I love to answer your questions or hear any comments/suggestions you might have for me! Please contact me by email me at KarenBellessaPetersen@gmail.com

I'm a stay at home mom trying to answer one of life's most mysterious questions...what is for dinner?

In January 2009, I set out on an interesting journey. I decided to see if I could cook 365 different slow cooker recipes in 365 days. I did it without any repeats! I have done everything from main dishes, sides, desserts, breakfasts and breads. I rate all the recipes and let you know if they're worth cooking up. Since finishing my project I've been able to do a lot of media appearances and I've put together 2 cookbooks of all my best recipes. I also continue to update my blog a few times a week with new and improved slow cooker recipes (along with other things I find interesting and fun like baking, travel, etc.).

The slow cooker is a wonderful appliance that can give you the freedom to cook dinner at any time but dinner time (which is often the most busy and crazy time of the day). It frees your mind so you don't have to think "what am I going to make for dinner" all day long. Because my blog is all about slow cooking, it's all about recipes that are (hopefully) 1. Easy 2. Tasty 3. Budget-friendly. Also, I have a life other than cooking dinner...so I try to make my recipes something that ANYONE can put together in a few minutes (with as few dishes to clean up as possible). I'm about practical and functional, functional and practical!!!

So come follow me on my slow cooking adventures and get some great recipes and slow cooker tips in the meantime.

If you want to ask me a recipe question or contact me about something else click here.

I also just saw your article in the BYU Today magazine. Reading your article inspired me to go ahead and try a challenge myself. I am going to read a book every week and post a review on my blog, along with a recipe that relates to the story. It's something I've been doing off and on for awhile now and I'm going to take the plunge and go for it! Thanks for the inspiration!Christy www.dearestdreams.com

I looked at your website and saw the comment about crockpot liners! I didn't even know they had been invented. Ya--hoo! Which stores carry them? Thanks for your website. I enjoy reading what to fix for dinner. Thanks for doing my homework! lobo2wolf@gmail.com

Karen -As a grandpa to a wife who is weary of cooking but one meal a day, I felt inspired Saturday to use your Tomato-Basil Parmesan Soup recipe as featured in the BYU Magazine. It worked out great and my grandchildren, daughter and son-in-law partook too when they dropped by Saturday evening. (They are picky eaters.) It but barely lasted until Sunday! Mike in Payson

Maybe at least you should have credited Stephanie O'Dea, who did this in 2008. I found your site accidentally looking for hers and was SO confused by the eerie similarity in name and theme. I'll use your site too but come on! Be a good sport and give Steph the credit!

I was babysitting today and the lady that I was babysitting for had your Beef Burgundy cooking in her CrockPot and I could not resist the smell and I tried "some". I was so embarrassed when she came home because I NEVER eat other peoples food but I could not resist. Now I am sitting at home with my new crockpot and 365 days of deliciousness waiting for me. THANK YOU! I am a busy student and practical and functional is what I live for!